I’ve been looking for the perfect hanging amigurumi project for months now. Something whimsical, something that would catch the light near a window, something with a bit of movement. This jellyfish is exactly what I had in mind.
The gradient bell, those bouncy spiral tentacles, and the way it floats there like it’s drifting through water. I’m honestly thrilled with how this one turned out.
Whether you hang it near your plants, in a nursery, or in your craft room window, this jellyfish brings such a lovely bit of ocean-inspired charm to any space. And the sunset colors? Absolutely stunning. Let me walk you through everything you need to make your own.
What Makes This Crochet Jellyfish Pattern Special
This amigurumi jellyfish is constructed in four main parts. You’ll work the bell from the top down in continuous rounds, add a ruffled collar for that realistic jellyfish look, create spiral bobble tentacles as separate pieces, and finish with trailing yarn strands for extra movement and texture.
The color gradient effect on the bell happens through simple yarn changes at specific rounds. No fancy colorwork techniques required. You’re just swapping colors as you go, and the result looks far more impressive than the effort involved.
The spiral tentacles are my favorite part. They coil naturally because of how many stitches you work into each chain. The math does the magic for you. No twisting or manipulating needed.
Skill Level and Time Commitment
I’d call this an intermediate level crochet pattern. If you’re comfortable with basic amigurumi construction and have done at least one project with color changes, you’ll find this very approachable.
The bell uses standard increases and decreases worked in the round. The spiral tentacles require working into the back bump of a foundation chain while increasing at a high ratio. This sounds trickier than it is. If you’re a beginner who wants to try this, I’d suggest practicing the spiral technique on a short sample first. Chain about 20 stitches and work 3 single crochet into each one. Watch it curl. Once you see how it works, you’ll feel much more confident.
Time estimate: 12 to 18 hours total, spread across multiple sessions. The bell takes about 3 to 4 hours. Each spiral tentacle runs 20 to 30 minutes, and you’ll make 8 of them. Assembly, the ruffle, and finishing add another 2 to 3 hours.
Finished Dimensions
Your completed jellyfish will measure approximately:
These measurements assume firm stuffing. If you stuff more loosely, your bell diameter will be slightly smaller.
Materials You’ll Need
Yarn
All yarn is worsted weight:
For the Pink Colorway shown in the reference image, substitute:
Yarn Suggestions
Lion Brand Pound of Love works beautifully here. It’s affordable, widely available, and has excellent stitch definition for amigurumi. Look for Camel, Pumpkin, and Terracotta shades.
Paintbox Yarns Simply Worsted offers exceptional color range with shades like Mustard Yellow, Peach Orange, Blush Pink, and Burnt Orange that match this gradient almost perfectly.
WeCrochet Wool of the Andes Worsted is another great option. The slight wool halo softens the gradient transitions beautifully. Just note that wool requires hand washing.
Any smooth worsted weight yarn around 200 yards per 100g skein will work. Avoid fluffy or bouclé yarns since they’ll hide the stitch definition that makes amigurumi look crisp.
Hooks
Additional Materials
Gauge
With US G-6 / 4.0 mm hook and worsted weight yarn in continuous single crochet rounds:
10 sc = 4 inches / 10 cm
10 rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm
To check gauge: Work a magic ring, then Round 1 (6 sc), Round 2 (12 sc), Round 3 (18 sc), Round 4 (24 sc), Round 5 (30 sc). Measure the diameter of this flat circle. It should measure approximately 4 inches / 10 cm. If larger, go down a hook size. If smaller, go up a hook size.
Gauge matters here because the bell diameter determines the visual balance between the bell and tentacles. A significantly different gauge will throw off your proportions.
Abbreviations
Special Stitches Explained
Invisible Decrease (dec)
This decrease keeps your amigurumi surface smooth and hides the decrease lines. Here’s how to work it:
1. Insert hook into the front loop only of the next stitch
2. Without completing the stitch, insert hook also into the front loop only of the stitch after that
3. Yarn over and pull through both front loops (2 loops on hook)
4. Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook
One stitch decreased. This counts as 1 stitch in your count.
Spiral Tentacle Foundation
The spirals happen because you work 3 stitches into each chain. The coiling is automatic. Don’t fight it when it starts curling on you. That’s exactly what it’s supposed to do.
Step by Step Crochet Pattern Instructions
Section 1: The Bell
The bell begins at the crown (top) and works downward. Use a locking stitch marker to track the beginning of each round.
Begin with Color A (Gold).
Rnd 1: MR, work 6 sc into ring, pull ring closed. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: (Sc in next st, inc in next st) rep 6 times. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) rep 6 times. (24 sc)
Rnd 5: (Sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st) rep 6 times. (30 sc)
Rnd 6: (Sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st) rep 6 times. (36 sc)
Rnd 7: (Sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st) rep 6 times. (42 sc)
Rnd 8: (Sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st) rep 6 times. (48 sc)
Change to Color B (Peach/Salmon) at the end of Rnd 8.
Rnd 9: (Sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st) rep 6 times. (54 sc)
Rnd 10: (Sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st) rep 6 times. (60 sc)
Change to Color C (Burnt Orange) at the end of Rnd 10.
Rnd 11: Sc in each st around. (60 sc)
Rnd 12: Sc in each st around. (60 sc)
Rnd 13: Sc in each st around. (60 sc)
Rnd 14: Sc in each st around. (60 sc)
Checkpoint: After Rnd 14, the bell should measure approximately 4.5 inches / 11.5 cm in diameter at its widest and approximately 3 inches / 7.5 cm tall. The dome shape should be clearly rounded.
Now work the decrease section:
Rnd 15: (Sc in next 8 sts, dec) rep 6 times. (54 sc)
Rnd 16: (Sc in next 7 sts, dec) rep 6 times. (48 sc)
Rnd 17: (Sc in next 6 sts, dec) rep 6 times. (42 sc)
Rnd 18: (Sc in next 5 sts, dec) rep 6 times. (36 sc)
Checkpoint: After Rnd 18, stuff the bell firmly with polyfill now, before the opening becomes too small. Pack stuffing tightly into the crown first, then fill the rest.
Rnd 19: (Sc in next 4 sts, dec) rep 6 times. (30 sc)
Rnd 20: (Sc in next 3 sts, dec) rep 6 times. (24 sc)
Do NOT fasten off. Do NOT close the opening yet. The ruffle comes next.
Section 2: The Ruffle Collar
Switch to Color D (Blush/Light Peach) for contrast. Join with a sl st into any stitch of Rnd 20.
Work into the front loops only of Rnd 20, leaving the back loops for later.
Ruffle Rnd 1: Working in FLO of Rnd 20, work 3 sc into each st around. (72 sc)
Ruffle Rnd 2: (Sc in next 2 sts, inc) rep 24 times. (96 sc)
Sl st into next st to join. Fasten off Color D. Weave in end.
The ruffle will naturally wave and frill. Don’t try to block it flat.
Section 3: Close the Bell Base
Return to the back loops of Rnd 20. Re-join Color C to any back loop.
Closing Rnd: (Sc in next 2 sts, dec) rep 6 times. (18 sc)
Closing Rnd 2: (Sc in next st, dec) rep 6 times. (12 sc)
Closing Rnd 3: Dec 6 times around. (6 sc)
Add any remaining stuffing through the small opening. Fasten off, leaving a 12 inch / 30 cm tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle and weave through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Weave in tail securely inside bell.
Section 4: Hanging Cord
At the crown of the bell, use the original starting tail or attach a new length of Color A approximately 24 inches / 61 cm long. Thread both ends through the magic ring from outside to inside, creating a loop. Tie a secure overhand knot 3 inches / 7.5 cm below the loop end. The hanging loop should extend approximately 6 to 8 inches / 15 to 20 cm above the crown.
Section 5: Spiral Bobble Tentacles
Make 8 total.
Using Color C (Burnt Orange), leave a 10 inch / 25 cm starting tail for attachment.
Foundation: Ch 51. (51 chains)
Work back along the chain, working into the back bump of each chain stitch.
Tentacle Row: Work 3 sc into the bb of the 2nd chain from hook, then 3 sc into the bb of each remaining chain across. (150 sc)
The tentacle will automatically spiral as you work. Let it curl.
Sl st into last st. Fasten off, leaving a 10 inch / 25 cm tail.
Color variation tip: Make 4 tentacles in Color C and 4 in Color A for the two-tone look shown in the photos.
Checkpoint: Each finished spiral should measure approximately 5 to 6 inches / 13 to 15 cm after coiling.
Section 6: Attaching Spiral Tentacles
Hold the bell with the ruffle facing downward. Attach the 8 spiral tentacles at evenly spaced points around the base, just above or through the ruffle row.
Using the starting tail and a tapestry needle, insert through the base of the bell at the joining point between bell and ruffle. Space tentacles approximately every 3 stitches around the 24-stitch base round. Push the tail through from outside to inside and tie a firm double knot. Run both tails through several stitches inside the bell and trim.
Repeat for all 8 tentacles.
Section 7: Trailing Yarn Tentacles
These are simply lengths of yarn attached with larks head knots.
Cut 16 lengths of Color A (Gold) each measuring 30 inches / 76 cm.
Cut 8 lengths of Color C (Burnt Orange) each measuring 24 inches / 61 cm.
Fold each length in half. Insert the folded midpoint loop up through a stitch at the base of the bell. Pull the two tails through the loop and pull snug.
Distribute 2 to 3 trailing strands alongside each spiral tentacle.
Trim trailing strands to varying lengths between 18 and 28 inches / 46 and 71 cm for a natural look.
Finishing Your Jellyfish
Weave in all remaining ends securely. Most can be buried inside the stuffed bell by threading through the stuffing with your tapestry needle.
Size Customization
For a smaller jellyfish (about 5 inch bell): Use DK weight yarn with a US E-4 / 3.5 mm hook. Stop increases at Rnd 7 (42 sc). Work 2 straight rounds instead of 4. Reduce tentacle chain to 36.
For a larger jellyfish (about 10 inch bell): Use bulky weight yarn with a US J-10 / 6.0 mm hook. Add 2 additional increase rounds beyond Rnd 10, reaching 72 sc. Work 6 straight rounds. Increase tentacle chain to 70. Make 10 to 12 tentacles total.
Care Instructions
For acrylic yarn: Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent. Gently squeeze out water. Do not wring. Reshape while damp and air dry. Keep away from the dryer.
For wool yarn: Hand wash only in cool water with wool wash. Handle gently to prevent felting. Air dry flat, not hanging.
Spot cleaning with a damp cloth works great for routine dust removal.
Thank you so much for checking out this jellyfish amigurumi crochet pattern. I really hope you love making it as much as I loved designing it. There’s something so satisfying about watching those tentacles curl up as you work, and the finished piece just floats so beautifully.
If you make one, I’d absolutely love to see it. Tag me on Instagram or share a photo in my Facebook group. Seeing your creations honestly makes my whole week.
Don’t forget to save this pattern to your Pinterest boards so you can find it when you’re ready to start. And if you have any questions or just want to say hi, drop a comment below. I read every single one.
